Overview & Reviews

Born in Japan, Suzuki is an automaker that has made a name for itself by crafting vehicles that emphasize value and affordability. Through the years, the brand's lineup has included sedans, wagons and SUVs. However, in late 2012 the company decided to stop selling new vehicles in the United States.

The company was founded by Michio Suzuki in 1909 as Suzuki Loom Works. By the 1950s, its focus had expanded beyond just loom machines to include both motorcycles and automobiles. In 1955, it rolled out the Suzulight, a compact car that proved to be a harbinger of a new era of Japanese lightweight vehicles. The automaker expanded its lineup to include a truck in 1961. Like its sibling, the tiny Suzulight Carry pickup distinguished itself with its featherweight specification. By the end of the decade, the Suzuki lineup had grown to include the Fronte passenger car, the subcompact Fronte 800 and the Carry Van full-cab van.

In 1970, Suzuki rolled out the Jimny, a four-wheel-drive sport-utility vehicle that resembled a playful version of the Jeep CJ-5. The automaker's roster continued to grow throughout this decade, with the addition of the Alto and the subcompact LJ80.

The 1980s saw Suzuki partnering with General Motors when GM acquired a 5 percent stake in the company. GM made this move partially in response to the growing popularity of subcompacts in the U.S. market. After the purchase, Suzuki products were rebadged and sold as GM vehicles on American shores.

In 1985, the carmaker launched an American outpost, and for the first time, Suzuki-branded vehicles became available in the U.S. The company's first model was the Samurai; available as either a convertible or a hardtop, this compact SUV met with immediate success. However, the Samurai's glory days were short-lived.

In 1988, Consumer Reports published an article in which it deemed the Samurai unsafe, saying it was more likely than most to roll over during certain maneuvers. Suzuki took the magazine to court (and eventually won) but the bad publicity from the article cast a pall on the Samurai that never quite lifted. Suzuki soldiered on, though. By the end of the decade its total aggregate car production had topped 10 million units, and its line had grown to include the compact Swift and the Sidekick, a compact SUV.

During the '90s, Suzuki expanded its reach to include territories like Egypt, Vietnam and Hungary, and launched new models like the Cappuccino convertible and the lightweight Wagon R. On U.S. soil, Suzuki rolled out the Esteem, dropped the beleaguered Samurai, introduced the two-seat, T-topped X-90 and replaced the Sidekick with the Vitara and Grand Vitara.

Suzuki and General Motors purchased ailing Daewoo in 2004, and two of that manufacturer's vehicles were rebadged and given new life as Suzukis. The Suzuki Forenza and Suzuki Verona both had former lives as Daewoo cars.

Through the first decade of the 2000s, Suzuki continued to evolve and improve its models, culminating in the Kizashi, a midsize sedan that was good enough to challenge segment front runners. But with overall sales and consumer interest stuck on a downward trend, Suzuki finally announced bankruptcy and termination of its U.S. vehicle operations in late 2012. The company plans to honor existing warranties, and some Suzuki dealers will continue to provide parts and service.

User Reviews:

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  Suzukis answer to the Toyota Camry - 2005 Suzuki Verona
  By ivan g. - June 13 - 12:50 am

  The Verona is a great come up for Suzuki. They needed this car a long time ago. The features that comes with it are great. Also, this car has great handling. Test drive it and you will love it. $20,000 for a brand new luxury car is straight.

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  A lot of car for the money - 2005 Suzuki Forenza
  By john - April 29 - 12:23 am

  good more than basic transportation.Comfortable interior with a really good sound system. A nice riding car for its size it does have 4 wheel independant suspension. It seems hard to grow tired sitting in this car on long drives. One nice feature is that the car comes complete no options other than auto or manual trans. My dealership was a very pleasant no hassle dealer.It could use more power on long grades (126 hp) and the fuel economy is alittle short on what I hoped for averaging about 23 mpg with mixed driving. I was very surprized at how many people approached me to tell me how much they really liked the way it looks. Insurance was also cheaper ( no one steals suzukis I guess

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  Hats of to Suzuki! - 2000 Suzuki Esteem
  By dalemccarty_17 - April 28 - 2:00 am

  I had my car for a little under a month now and I still like it. The only problem that I have had with it was a flat tire at the dealership, that has nothing to do with the cars reliability, tires go flat on every vehicle out there. It is a good first time car, my first car, (when I was in 10 grade) was a 1991 GMC Jimmy 4x4 4dr. I DO NOT recomend this truck, it was sopposed to have 4x4, ABS, and electric windows, guess what, the 4x4 never locked in, the ABS didnt work (I had some close calls that would have not be close if i had ABS), and the windows would slowly go down, and not go up.

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  Love this car - 2002 Suzuki Aerio
  By ccox - April 26 - 3:20 am

  Bought this car because I really like the way it drove. Very comfortable, quick response, roomy. At the time I really wanted a Chevy Monte Carlo, but when I test drove it, I decided on the Aerio. Much more room! I have had this car for 4 years and have no complaints, no problems! Its a great car.

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  Suzuki Verona - 2004 Suzuki Verona
  By JEGK1971 - April 23 - 10:00 am

  I previously owned a 2000 Stratus ES-- very nice optioned car---leather, alloys, V6. I traded it in on the Suzuki. I liked the style and all the options that came on the Suzuki as standard epuipment---it was loaded. Two things that I dont like is the gas mileage and the poor get up and go--- once it hits 20-30 mph its pretty peppy. I wish I had researched it on the internet before I bought---seeing how it is a rehashed Dae Woo---I might still have bought it, but I would have thought about it for a while. All in all, it is a lot of car for the money and is a pleasure to drive--- I am a salesman and I an constantly in and out of the car.

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  good lil car - 2007 Suzuki Forenza
  By Tena Moore Holbrooks - April 13 - 3:12 pm

  my 2007 forenza has been very dependable. i passed a few higher priced, newer cars on the side of the road during our snow storm last week. but, me and my forenza got to our location just fine. alot of it has to do with how well you maintain your auto. i have a 2007 with 130k miles with regular oil changes and a recent tune up i look to get many more. and the gas mileage - great!!!!!

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  Not a bad little car - 2001 Suzuki Esteem
  By thorpite - April 12 - 3:00 pm

  Ive owned my Esteem for 5 years and have never had any major mechanical problems with it and it handles like a champ. I like my little car and its great in city traffic and tight spots. I moved from Florida to Chicago and was curious to see how it would handle in ice and snow since it is very light and can be hard to handle in high winds. In snow/ice, it slides a lot in turns. The engine can be noisy but I always have the radio on, so its not an issue for me personally. I replaced the factory CD player because mine stopped reading CDs and my intermittent windshield wipers gave out soon after purchase and now Ive noticed that my wipers dont reset themselves when they turn off.

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  Tight as a drum - 2007 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By dcote - April 9 - 11:30 am

  I like everything except, my key fob does not make a sound when I lock/unlock the door (just a click), the sticker says I have 7 speakers but I can only find four. The avg. MPG only says 16.1 mpg... this seems low, I hope the meter is just inaccurate.

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  Give it a chance! XL7 may work for you. - 2006 Suzuki XL-7
  By unsolctedadviz - April 2 - 1:01 pm

  We got a great deal on 06 XL7 in 2010 with 37K miles as a 00 200K Honda Odyssey replacement. Wanted another, but Toyotas/Hondas too pricey even with 100K. The XL7 sounds and drives like a truck--worse than a car or minivan. Poor acceleration and gas mileage, averaging a paltry 17 city, 20 hwy. But so far, it has been bulletproof in terms of reliability at 72K miles. No problems whatsoever. With kids 11, 8, 7, we can still shoehorn 1-2 of them in the fold-down 3rd row. Long trips we flip down 1 side of 3rd row and take plenty of luggage. Vehicle is horrible in snow. 2-whl drive was a big mistake. Needs quality snow tires in winter. Buy a 4x4. Missing minivan, but XL7 is next best..

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  Fun to Drive!!! - 2003 Suzuki Grand Vitara
  By Amy - April 2 - 4:00 am

  I have only had my Grand Vitara for about 2 months. This is the 1st SUV for me to drive, and I love it, Its roomy and I just enought space for my son, but not to much like it would have been if I had gotten something bigger. The only thing I really do not like about it is the gas milage I have to get gas like 2 to 3 times a week and I do not go out of town.